MPs urged to support beer duty cut

Industry leaders have written to MPs urging them to support a new parliamentary motion calling for a one penny cut in beer duty in this year's Budget.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have written in support of Early Day Motion (EDM) 919.

The motion has been tabled by Nigel Evans MP, and already has the support of 24 MPs from five different parties in parliament. It hopes to sway George Osborne's budget, to be revealed on Wednesday 16 March.

Campaign

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: "Strong support from MPs always gives a real boost to our campaign - we have built a very strong case for further duty cuts to boost employment and protect pubs, as the industry still faces big pressures. I hope MPs will support EDM 919 this year."

The EDM highlights the 19,000 increase in employment following three one penny duty cuts in the Chancellor's previous three Budgets, as well as £1bn in investment. Further cuts would secure jobs and reduce the cost of living, the EDM states.

Investment

SIBA managing director Mike Benner said: "Three consecutive duty cuts have led to increased investment across the independent brewing sector, creating new jobs and providing support for important local small businesses across the country.

"I hope the Chancellor will continue to drive this much-needed momentum with a further duty cut in March."

The BBPA, SIBA and CAMRA have also sent MPs a new edition of The Beer Story – Facts on Tap​, which highlights the key reasons why the industry needs further duty cuts in the Budget.

Similar calls in previous years have been among the most heavily supported by MPs, hugely boosting the successful campaign for lower taxes on beer.

Price of a pint

CAMRA chief executive Tim Page said: "The ending of the beer duty escalator and three consecutive beer duty cuts have kept pubs open and kept the price of a pub pint down.

"The Centre for Economic and Business Research calculated that these changes have saved more than 1,000 pubs from closure, benefiting pubgoers and communities throughout the UK. Britain's 15 million regular pubgoers will be hoping for a fourth beer duty cut in March's Budget."